Does your clinic make you take northisterone to prep for an FET cycle?

[PaulaDag]

Hi All,

I’ve just discovered that people often don’t take a course of northisterone for FETs and just go in for a baseline scan on day 2 or 3 of their periods. I have never been offered this and it seems much better as with northisterone it takes almost a month longer due to starting those pills on day 19 waiting for withdrawal bleed etc before starting oestrogen.

Are there any pros/cons that I am unaware of as I am thinking of asking not to do northisterone next cycle to speed things up if this one fails. We’re doing medicated FETs due to it being what we did for the ERA but they said we could try a natural FET if we wanted but as it wasn’t done for ERA it’s not ideal, but I could because I had natural conceptions that miscarried before so likely repetitive (which my era said).

I don’t know that much about FETs as we’ve just been doing egg collections for a long time so was surprised to hear it can be a lot shorter protocol and was not suggested by clinic.

Thanks xx

[Babysteps22]

Hi, mine gave me the choice. I could take norethisterone, then they could control the timings. But we agreed that because my cycles are regular, I could skip the norethisterone and go in for scan on day 2 of my cycle and then start meds. This was a good plan, until my period was 10 days late 😂 it all worked out though, I just had to go into the next batch. So I think it depends on your cycles and if you want absolute certainty over when you'll start. The stress of having a late period was not much fun! Hope all goes well for you xx

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Paula. It is commonly used for down regulation, so fingers crossed it works quickly for you. Diane

[Hidden]

I wasn't given an option - I was told I had to take that, plus Buserelin in my prep month so they were in control of my cycle, despite the fact I had really regular cycles normally. I am not sure its delayed anything though aside from if you were about to get your period in the next week x

[LittleT123]

I wasn’t given an option and to my understanding they use this to be able to time your period and then control the dates of the cycle as if all the women waiting for IVF got their period at the same time it would be very hard to do all the egg collections on one day, so it helps to stagger the patients. I’ve been on Norethistrone twice now for both cycles and I find it makes me have a very low mood so if I was given a choice I would not take this again. Also, I’m a believer in more natural the better and less meds the better. This is my last funded cycle so if we need to try again and go private I will be looking for a clinic that will not use this medication or gives me the choice.

[PaulaDag in reply to LittleT123]

I checked with my clinic and your understanding is correct and the reason they do it is scheduling in the main. I had my consultation and they agreed I could not use northisterone this time and just go in on day 2/3 of my cycle for a scan and then start oestrogen. It will make the cycle a good month shorter so I am really pleased. If you get the chance I'd ask them if its an option to do it without norethisterone as it seems as if some clinics will do but only if you ask first but they won't publicise it as they prefer with n/rone for scheduling purposes xx

[LittleT123 in reply to PaulaDag]

Amazing thank you I have my follow up tomorrow at a different clinic to start again so I’ll bring this up xxx

[HopeIVFul]

Hi,

I didn’t really know what the options are to be honest! As I had PCOS and don’t often have periods I have been on this both rounds of ivf, my first being successful with my son and I’ve just finished my 2WW with another positive.

So both times it worked for me being on it xx

[PaulaDag in reply to HopeIVFul]

Congratulations on your success. Yes it seems like a pretty standard protocol to use norethisterone x

[Purple276]

Hey,

As LittleT mentioned the main benefit is to your clinic to help schedule but that night not be the best thing for you.

Glad your clinic has given you the option. Mine automatically did the down regulation using Buserelin injections but I questioned it as got bad side effects and they agreed to do without. Like you say a shorter round plus more natural and fewer jabs so win win!

I haven't had an issue although they say sometimes you may still ovulate or have a follicle when you have your lining scan around day 10/11 which could cause it to cancel so worth being aware of.

Super hopefully this is the one and wishing you good luck xx

[PaulaDag in reply to Purple276]

Hi, did you use buserlin for an FET? Does that do something different to norethisterone? I never really understood why theu use norethisterone but kind of got the buserlin is for down reg. is norethisterone for down reg too then?

The consultant didn’t mention that re possibly still ovulating or having a follicle when you go for baseline scan at day 2/3 and then lining scan at day 10/11. I guess the norethisterone stops that does it? Or is that the oestrogen?

It’s all so confusing. I know a fair bit about egg collections but don’t know much about fets and transfers 🙃. It’s like learning all over again. Xx

[Hidden in reply to PaulaDag]

Buserelin is down reg, norethisterone brings on your period x

[PaulaDag in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Daisy x